Paul Hanlon has revealed he has spoken with Martin Boyle after his World Cup disappointment.
The Hibs star jetted to Qatar with Australia hoping to recover from the injury he sustained in club action last month however he has been unable to return to full fitness and has now been ruled out of Graham Arnold's plans for Qatar. The Socceroos begin their campaign tonight against France with lots of SPFL representation including Celtic's Aaron Mooy and Hearts trio Kye Rowles, Nathaniel Atkinson and Cammy Devlin.
Boyle has been a key player since turning out for Australia and will be a huge miss. Club mate Hanlon admits everyone is 'proper gutted' and 'devastated' but has backed him to play a major role off the park this time around and tipped him to get another chance at the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 2026.
READ MORE: Graham Arnold opens up on 'cruel' Martin Boyle World Cup blow with Hibs star ruled out for Australia
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “We’re all proper gutted for him. I spoke to him on Sunday morning, he’s gone there and done everything he could with his rehab. Australia and Hibs have helped a lot and between them they’ve done everything they could to try to get him on the pitch.
“It’s obviously not been the case and we’re devastated for him. It would have been an incredible experience for him. He’s done so much to get Australia there, he’s been a big part of their squad, and I’m sure he would have played a big part in the World Cup as well.
“From what he says, they’ve got a really tight group and tight squad and I think they really appreciate what he brings to a squad, as we do at Hibs. He brings a lot, not just on the pitch.
"I’m sure he’ll be good around the camp, regardless of if he’s playing or not. It’s not to be but, you never know – in four years’ time, he could maybe get another go.”
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